Not quite sure if this is the right place for my musings but here goes.

I am a baby boomer, born in 46 and probably enjoyed the best years pre-computers, internet etc. I traveled the world without anyone being able to check up on me or, in reality, caring about me. My money was either in my pocket or in my socks. No ATMs, no social media, no cell-phones, no Global terrorists but a few local ones who really didn't want to blow themselves up.

Now, as I come to the end of the runway and I know the plane is not really going to lift off I reflect on the countries I really enjoyed visiting and living in. Without a doubt, it is more fun when you are a bit older and a bit wiser to enjoy the delights of each place without getting hooked. Ha bloody ha. I have a Thai wife 30 years younger than me but no complaints from my side. Anyway, I digress. For me, the place that I had the most fun in was Southern Ireland, is it called Eire? Anyway I was planning to go there a couple of years ago with some friends but they pulled out at the last minute. <deleted> it I thought, I will go anyway. What a lot of fun!!!! The Irish have to be some of the most easy going people in the world.

So,what I was wondering was, what is it that makes the Irish such an enjoyable bunch of people to be with? I have bumped into them all over the world and I have rarely met one who was a prick.

Yes, you are on the end of the runway!

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probably getting shitfaced I'd guess.

get your money in the bank

abort , abort ,ABORT!!!!

You're not from England are you ?

Rural communities like Eire are usually a lot of fun because the community is still together.I lived in Connemara co Galway for a while and the pub was the centre of social activity for everyone, grannies to kids with a local band in the corner, There were no licensing laws to be observed because any policeman who tried to enforce them would be ostracized and receive no help from the locals. Like Issan, nobody stops selling alcohol because of some directive from Bangkok and like Issan, families stay together, piling into the pick-up for some jaunt. For local work, local communal activities people rely on each other

Another similarity is the music, the rhythms -infectious dancing- and melodies.

And everyone knows each other which is great in that everyone relates to each other, no anonymous neighbours, but of course it has the downside of gossip and no private life

Like alcohol- great at times but can lead to sudden anger and hostility!

The people have a collective identity, diffusing with industrialization but Eire has a lot of space, as Issan does.Hopefully the warmth and fun will live on.

what is it that makes the Irish such an enjoyable bunch of people to be with?

The Irish have to be some of the most easy going people in the world.

No mention of black and decker drills, IRA and the Orange Lodge I see

Connemara is a fun place for sure....mad mad people....I shared my first London flat with four of them....what a great year that was!